This document reviews eighteen (18) of the most recent studies conducted by universities, research institutions, and government agencies across the United States and other countries that examine the efficacy of food waste disposers. It compiles and organizes the findings regarding all facets of the sewage collection, treatment, and disposal process.

The National Association of Heating, Plumbing, and Cooling Contractors commissioned a life cycle comparison of five engineered systems for managing food waste. The five systems examined were: 1) sending food waste through a disposal to a wastewater treatment plant, 2) collecting food waste with municipal solid waste, and sending it to a landfill, 3) collecting food waste with municipal solid waste, and sending it to a community compost facility, 4) collecting food waste and sending it to a central incineration facility, and 5) sending food waste through a disposal to a septic system. The study looked at the required land, total system energy, total system materials, total emissions to the environment, and total system costs for each method. The four-year research project was concluded in January 1998.

Provided below is a partial listing of U.S. wastewater treatment plants and their associated capabilities based on information collected from the listed facilities' websites. For the most complete, accurate, and up-to-date information, please check with your local wastewater authority.

Over 34 million tons of food waste is generated annually in the U.S. and almost all of it goes to landfills. Municipalities seek to consider all options when determining how to capture, process, recover and beneficially use food waste as a resource. The research analyzed capital and operating costs, carbon footprint, space footprint, and labor, fuel, water and electricity demands. Using a landfill to dispose of food waste had the highest carbon footprint and was very costly, while using a food waste disposer to send food waste to a treatment plant with anaerobic digestion was the least costly, and with close to half the carbon footprint. Composting had the smallest carbon footprint and was second best in terms of costs.

A list of communities that convert biosolids into fertilizer and/or soil conditioner, qualifying for certification by the National Biosolids Partnership's World Class Biosolids Environmental Management System Program

Food Waste Disposers Included in National Green Building Standard™ Installation of disposers contribute one point towards achievement of the National Green Building Standard, the ICC/ANSI-approved residential green building rating system. Download PDF

Sustainability Is More than a Buzzword for Wastewater TreatmentInsights on how utilities can increase or reuse sludge, nutrients, methane, and treated wastewater.Download PDF